Help mounting Hyd lift MMM on 2305

C-Range · Oct 22, 2009

Use the force, Luke! I've never laid down to put on my PTO shaft. I just kneel beside the deck/tractor and feel for the drive shaft while holding the mower coupler with the same hand and then wobble it around a bit till the splines line up and it slides right on. If it takes more than about 5 seconds, I turn the mower PTO shaft a bit and try again. I don't think I've ever had to do it more than once to get it mounted.

I do agree, however, that that mid PTO drive shaft is quite buried up under there. But again, 10lbs of **it in a 5lb bag...

kennyd · Oct 22, 2009

raykos said:
ensoll,

Yes, I've tried your method and it is a little easier...if everything is aligned perfectly, i.e. the splines on the PTO. Laying on one's back with the left arm awkwardly extended & trying to line up(or turn) the deck drive shaft to align with the PTO splines,(that can't be seen) is not at all "user friendly"!

Just a note that may help...if you put the PTO selector lever in the rear-PTO position then the mid-PTO stub shaft will turn freely. The same goes for the rear if the lever is in the mid position.

TripleR · Oct 22, 2009

ensoll said:
Try my method and see if you still have a strong opinion about it. I don't think it's that bad. This mowing system is a far cry from the one on my old 318, which took at least 15-20 minutes to put on. And it's nowhere near as much of a pain to install as the bagging system for the 2305. That thing is hideous and very disappointing, coming from JD. I hate to mention anything critical with a kubota mosquito buzzing around this thread but it's the facts.

Well as a "Kubota Mosquito" too, I own a JD 2305 and a BX2660 and my observations are that the Kubota deck has more ground clearance than the JD, thus it is easier to keep from damaging your MMM while doing FEL work or bush hogging. The MMM on the Kubota is a "little" easier to take off and install, but a flat hard surface really helps both. When none is available, I use a sheet of plywood, dragging those things on grass or chat can be a bear. I now have my sons do this on both machines and I no longer notice any difference in degree of difficulty.

Both are good tractors, but the 2305 has had problems with the MMM, if we don't mention problem, there won't be any changes. Kubota has recently upgraded their HST fan protection because of ongoing complaints and they are now "working" on the infamous Kubota leaking tires.

C-Range · Oct 22, 2009

I was just switching attachments over to make a leaf run and decided to go ahead and put that taper on the lift pins. First, I took a close look at the function of the system. I noticed that there is already a generous chamfer on the pins, more than I had thought. It seemed to me this chamfer should work fine.

Long story short; I observed that when the return spring pulls on the pin, it cocks it off axis and it tends to bind everything up. So, I put a little grease on the pin where it goes into the plastic guide as well as on the part that engages with the lift arm.

Upon installing the deck, the pins couldn't go through fast enough. It was a snap!